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MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Know your rotation speed
A typical trainer rotates in the mid-50s of knots - a 172 at around 55 KIAS, climbing out at a Vy in the low 70s, though check your own POH rather than memorising Cessna's numbers - and the transferable rule is that Vr sits just above the stall speed in takeoff configuration. Rotate early because "it felt ready" and the aircraft lifts off inside ground effect, where induced drag is reduced, then climbs out of it into more drag. On a marginal-performance day the result is an aircraft that lifts off and then refuses to climb, sagging back towards the runway.
Read more in Improve Your Take-OffsStart to finish · 16 stages, 14 scored
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The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
Two stabilised approach gates, each with seven checks, where the approach path is 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway. They are the approach's score: the checks passed out of the checks that ran.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,216 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 1,216 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 285 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departure from Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB) began with a smooth departure roll on runway 25R, with the DA42-VI aircraft accelerating to liftoff speed of 81 kt in a distance of 421 m, representing 14% of the available runway length. The local weather conditions at the time of departure were characterized by a temperature of 16 °C and a wind of 11 kt at 269°, resulting in a 5 kt crosswind and a 10 kt headwind.
As the aircraft climbed away from the airport, it transitioned into an enroute climb phase, which began approximately 1 mile southwest of KDAB. The climb was initiated from an altitude of 953 ft asl and continued to 7,741 ft asl, an increase of 6,787 ft in just 5 minutes, covering a distance of 8 nm. Following the climb, the aircraft entered a level cruise phase, which lasted for 14 minutes and covered a distance of 32 nm, with the aircraft flying overhead Ormond Beach Municipal Airport (KOMN). The enroute descent phase was initiated approximately 2 miles west of Butler Beach, with the aircraft descending from 8,003 ft asl to 3,508 ft asl, a decrease of 4,495 ft in 7 minutes, covering a distance of 17 nm. The final descent phase began approximately 3 miles east of Gary Gale Seaplane Base (0FL8), with the aircraft descending from 2,998 ft asl to 1,263 ft asl, a decrease of 1,735 ft in 2 minutes, covering a distance of 7 nm.
The final approach to runway 05 at Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (KCRG) was initiated from the southwest, with the aircraft flying at a heading of 46.0° at 4 nm and 1,214 ft agl. The landing was executed with a threshold speed well above the target at 82 kt, and a touchdown distance of 283 m, representing 45% of the available runway length. The touchdown speed of 72 kt was slightly fast, but the runway touchdown alignment was perfect. Following the landing, the aircraft taxied to the parking area in less than 1 minute, covering a distance of less than 1 nm. The total flight distance was 81 nm, with a total flight time of 35 minutes and a fuel consumption of 12 kg.
The aircraft touched down on runway 05 at KCRG Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport, demonstrating a high level of proficiency in the landing phase. The approach quality was excellent, with a good threshold height achieved, allowing the pilot to maintain a stable and controlled descent. However, the threshold speed was slightly above the target, at 82 kt, which may have been due to the tailwind component of 8 kt.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft exhibited a touchdown distance of 283 m, which was within acceptable limits. The touchdown speed of 72 kt was a little fast, indicating that the pilot may have been able to maintain a more controlled descent. The touchdown rate of -271 fpm was fair, suggesting that the pilot was able to manage the aircraft's energy state effectively. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, with the aircraft centered on the runway centerline. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 16 °C and wind at 11 kt from 270 °, did not appear to have a significant impact on the landing.
The rollout phase was also executed well, with the aircraft maintaining perfect alignment on the runway centerline. The total landing distance of 553 m, which accounted for 45% of the runway length, was within acceptable limits. Overall, the landing was scored at 99.5%, reflecting the high level of proficiency demonstrated by the pilot in the approach, touchdown, and rollout phases.
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